Bond director wins three awards

Monday, March 25, 2013 - 07:21 AM

'Skyfall' and Sam Mendes were the big winners at the Jameson Empire Film Awards in London last night.

The latest James Bond movie - which led the nominations and was recently crowned the highest-grossing film in British box office history - won Best Film and its director Sam won Best Director as well as the Empire Inspiration Award.

'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' star Martin Freeman won the Jameson Best Actor gong, while Jennifer Lawrence, 22, was named Best Actress for her portrayal of Katniss Everdeen in 'The Hunger Games'.

The modest 41-year-old British actor admitted he was surprised to come out on top in the public vote ahead of Daniel Craig, Robert Downey Jr., Daniel Day-Lewis and Christoph Waltz in the prestigious category.

He said: "It's possible that my performance was not the best of the year, but I'll take it."

The adventure movie also won the Best Science-Fiction/Fantasy award.

Dame Helen Mirren, 67, was named Empire Legend at the ceremony in the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Accepting the accolade, she said: "I feel more of a leg-over than a legend. I have been more in my career."

Daniel Radcliffe was awarded Empire Hero.

Other big winners included the movie 'Ted', which was named Best Comedy, while newly single director Danny Boyle was honoured with the Empire Outstanding Contribution award.

The Jameson Empire Film Awards Special will be transmitted on Saturday March 30 on Sky Movies at 8.30pm.